prof. gerry w. beyer fall 2013. life is 100% fatal

Wills and Trusts

Prof. Gerry W. Beyer

Fall 2013

Skull for Hamlet Productions

Body for Human Barbecue

55 Letter English Alphabet

Cremains in Breast Implants

Doctor to impale with stake

Smoke 5 cigarettes per day

Money to woman birthing most children in 10 years

Basic Premise

Life is 100% fatal.

History of At-Death Property Disposition

1. Physical Strength and/or Finding

History of At-Death Property Disposition

2. Bury with Decedent

History of At-Death Property Disposition

3. Intestate Succession

History of At-Death Property Disposition

4. Wills

History of At-Death Property Disposition

5. Will Substitutes

Intestate Succession Terminology

Intestate Succession

Common Law Split:

Crown = real property

Church = personal property

Intestate Succession -- Terminology

Descent = succession to real property

Intestate Succession -- Terminology

Distribution = succession to personal property

Intestate Succession -- Terminology

Heir = person who receives property from an intestate decedent

Intestate Succession -- Terminology

Intestate Succession -- Terminology

Consanguinity = blood

Affinity = marriage

Testate Succession Terminology

Testate Succession -- Terminology

At common law –

Will = real property

Testament = personal property

Testate Succession -- Terminology

Devise = gift of real property

Testate Succession -- Terminology

Bequest = gift of personal property

Testate Succession -- Terminology

Legacy – gift of money

X

Testate Succession -- Terminology

Beneficiary = any recipient of property (any type)

Testate Succession -- Terminology

Codicil = amendment to an existing will